The severe storms which hit the northern Illawarra on March 28 prompted residents in Thirroul, Bulli and Woonona to take action. In some situations they were knee-to-waist deep water attempting to unblock drains.

One resident who lived on The Esplanade in Thirroul (which ended up under water) said he and his neighbour were continually unblocking drains along the street as they filled up with pine needles.

"If we don't get them it floods from our side across the road to the park," he said.

Read more: Pleas from Illawarra residents to stop building in flood zones

Many other residents the Mercury heard from listed storm water drains that were continually blocked - some reporting drains at Austinmer and Scarborough had been continually blocked for more than a year.

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said on Thursday it was "fortunate that the rain stopped when it did and that the water was able to clear through drains relatively quickly", while noting the escarpment has much to do with flooding.

"We saw some pretty dramatic images of stranded cars and flooded roads in and around Thirroul and Woonona over the weekend,'' Cr Bradbery said.

"We're fortunate it happened during the day and people were able to see the water accumulate at low points and watch out for each other and their neighbours.

"We know Wollongong is a city that is prone to flash-flooding - and this is in part due to our escarpment backdrop. In our northern suburbs, where there is a shorter distance between the mountains and the sea, we can see the impact of flash flooding quickly."

Since the weekend's deluge council crews have been out inspecting creeks, culverts and drainage systems - which includes more than 30,000 storm water pits.

After Saturday's storm, "floodplain staff" from the council spoke with local residents of the northern suburbs about their experiences which will be added (along with expert advice) to their floodplain risk management plans.

A council statement said they would be asking the community for feedback recommended options for managing flood risk in the Hewitts Creek and Towradgi Creek catchments - these options can include debris control structures near storm water drains, protection works like raised embankments and detention basis and revising planning controls.

The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.